Startups can generate big money returns for investors, but one must understand their valuations, their funding rounds, and anything about their stock prices (if there are any). This deep guide is going to show you the ten most profitable U.S. startups to invest in 2024, with their latest valuations, trends in stock price (for public companies), and pre-IPO investment opportunities.
If you are a private angel, venture capitalist, or retail investor, this finding should guide you in your investment decisions from data.
Why Invest in Startups? Top Benefits: High Growth Potential –
Startups such as Uber, Airbnb, and Tesla earned returns exceeding 100 times for early investors. Diversification – Inclusion of startups in your portfolio minimizes dependency on conventional stocks. Pre-mainstream access to innovations in AI, fintech, and biotech.
Yet, startup investments come with the risk of many fizzling out; hence all the hustle to find the most financially stable, high-growth startups with a clear path to profitability.
Top 10 Most Profitable U.S. Startups to Invest in in 2024
- OpenAI (AI): Valuation is $80B+ (2024).
Stock Status: Private (not IPO yet).
Investment Options: secondary markets (eg. Forge Global, SharesPost).
Why Invest? OpenAI, the folio behind ChatGPT and DALL-E, is one of the hottest in the AI field today. Such a heavy investment from Microsoft the $10B speaks volumes about its future growth.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is now valued at $80B+ (Source: TechCrunch).
- Stripe: (Fintech and Payments) Valuation: $65B, private: IPO expected in 2025, latest funding: raised $6.5B in 2023.
Why Invest? Stripe powers Amazon, Shopify, and Zoom. A future IPO could mirror PayPal’s success.
SpaceX shares are trading at $97+ on secondary markets (via Forge Global).
- SpaceX (Space Tech and Satellites) Estimated Valuation: $180B Private: No IPO Stock Status: Secondary Market Price: ~$97/share (2024). Why Invest?: SpaceX’s Starlink & NASA contracts give it a good long-term winning position.
You can invest in pre-IPO startups via EquityZen or SeedInvest.
- Databricks (Big Data & AI)
Valuation: $43B
In Stock: Private (IPO expected in 2024-25)
Last Funded: 2023- $500M+
Why Invest?: Competes with Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), which trades at more than $150.
Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) trades at $150+, a key competitor to Databricks.
- Canva (Graphic Design SaaS)
Valuation: $40B
In Stock: Private (Rumored IPO in 2025)
Why Invest?: Profitable since 2017, has over 150M users-an exceptional unicorn.
For the latest startup funding news, follow Crunchbase.
- Rippling (HR & Payroll Software)
Valuation: $11B
In Stock: Private
Last Funded: $500M (2024)
Why Invest?: Showing a remarkable growth YoY of 300%, could be the next Workday (NYSE: WDAY).
- Epic Games (Gaming & Metaverse)
Valuation: $32B
In Stock: Private (40% owned by Tencent)
Why Invest?: Potential IPO with booming gaming revenues through Fortnite & Unreal Engine.
- Plaid (Fintech & Open Banking)
Valuation: $13B
In Stock: Private
Why Invest?: Powers Venmo, Robinhood-critical fintech infrastructure.
- Discord (Social & Community Tech)
Valuation: $15B
In Stock: Private
Why Invest?: Over 200 million users, considering IPO in 2025.
- Anduril (Defense & AI Security)
Valuation: $8B
In Stock: Private
Why Invest?: Spaceship-type AI military technology, currently in high demand by governments.
Stock Price Trends (For Publicly Listed Competitors)
Since most startups are private, here’s how their public competitors are performing:
| Startup | Public Competitor | Stock Price (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | Microsoft (AI partner) | $420+ |
| Databricks | Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) | $150+ |
| Stripe | PayPal (NASDAQ: PYPL) | $60+ |
| Canva | Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) | $500+ |
This shows massive upside potential if these startups go public.
Ways for Investing in Such Startups (Pre-IPO and Secondary Market)
The top startups tend to be private, but you can still invest indirectly through:
Pre-IPO Platforms – Forge Global, EquityZen, SharesPost
Venture Capital Funds – Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz
Crowdfunding – SeedInvest, Republic
Employee Stock Options (Secondary Sell) – Some employees would be selling privately owned shares of stock.
Conclusion: The Best Investment in Startups in 2025
#1 AI Pick: OpenAI (Only if you can reach secondary marketplaces)
#1 Fintech pick: Stripe (Coming IPO to be expected)
#1 Space Tech Picks: SpaceX (Next big bet of Elon Musk)
Any interest in delving deeper into the numbers behind a particular startup? Leave a comment below! 🚀
Investing early in these high growth startups, however, has the potential to provide 10x gains before the public markets get on board. Get ahead of the game-invest smart in 2024!
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